The parent company of Quiznos and Taco Del Mar has named Mike Gieseman its director of culinary innovation.
Denver-based Rego Restaurant Group, a subsidiary formed by private equity firm High Bluff Capital Partners to run the two chains when it bought them last summer, said in a press release that Gieseman would be “responsible for reinvigorating the menus of Quiznos and Taco Del Mar by developing craveable items that are operationally achievable.”
Gieseman (left) has spent the past couple of years as a culinary consultant. Before that he was at Qdoba Restaurant corporation for 11 years as its manager of research and development.
“Mike brings a tremendous understanding of the culinary experience our guests are seeking when they step into one of our restaurants,” Rego chief brand officer Mark Lohmann said in the release. “As the leader of our culinary center of excellence, his consumer insights-driven methodology is a major competitive advantage for our portfolio of turnaround brands as we continue to drive a transformational agenda. Even if the menus at each of our restaurants are drastically different, the notion of fully understanding what the guest craves is a central driver across brands.”
Lohmann was named Rego’s brand officer in February.
Gieseman has already developed his first limited-time offer for Taco Del Mar, the Lobster and Seafood Taco, made with chilled lobster salad, cilantro, onions and serrano peppers over shredded cabbage in a tortilla, topped with pico de gallo and the chain’s signature white sauce.
For Quiznos, Rego indicated that Gieseman was working on new items with brisket and prime rib.
“I’m incredibly excited to add the next premium items and look forward to adding more quality recipes that guests will love,” Gieseman said. “If we look back to understand what’s worked and what hasn’t, we see that we don’t need to come up with some over-the-top, crazy concoction. Instead, our consumers want simple, back-to-basics recipes that meet their cravings.”
Gieseman and Lohmann are just the latest additions to Rego’s leadership team. Industry veteran Tim Casey was appointed the new company’s CEO at the beginning of the year.
Though most recently with Inspire Brands subsidiary Rusty Taco, Casey also was president of Qdoba for three years when Gieseman worked there, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
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